Arada awards first construction deal for mega Sharjah project

SHARJAH, July 11, 2018

Arada, the developer of the mega mixed-use Aljada project in Sharjah, UAE, has awarded the first construction contract for the project.

The developer handed the main construction contract for the first four Areej Apartments blocks, based within Phase One of Aljada, to Modern Building Contracting Company (MBCC), a major contractor that has worked on sites throughout the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Mobilisation will take place onsite in the coming weeks, with full construction set to commence by the end of July. In total, over 250 units will be built across the four Areej Apartments blocks.

The buildings, which contain the first homes to be built within the 24-million-sq-ft project, are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Arada, said: “This award is an important milestone for Aljada as we move into the development phase of this iconic and transformational project. We’re pleased to be partnering with Modern Building Contracting Company, and look forward to working closely with them to help deliver Aljada’s first homes.”

Aljada, the Dh24-billion ($6.53 billion) mixed-use lifestyle destination, is located on the last large plot of undeveloped land in the heart of Sharjah. In April, Arada announced the launch of East Village, a 15-building creative community targeting the younger generation, which constitutes Phase two of Aljada, while also confirming that enabling work onsite had begun.

Also in April, Arada signed a management agreement with Emaar Hospitality Group to bring three new hotels -- Address Aljada Sharjah, Vida Aljada Sharjah and Rove Aljada to the megaproject.

In March, Arada announced that Zaha Hadid Architects had won a global competition to design the Central Hub, the focal point of Aljada, and a new leisure and entertainment destination for the UAE. The first phase of the Central Hub will be completed by the end of this year. In January, the developer also confirmed that the global engineering giant Jacobs had won a key contract to design the infrastructure for the project.

Launched in September 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Aljada has swiftly become Sharjah’s fastest-selling residential community. To be delivered in phases starting in 2019, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2025.

The Aljada masterplan is carefully designed with wide green spaces in mind, allowing residents, workers and visitors the ability to live, work, play and be entertained within a fully integrated and sustainable community. Aljada has exceptional connectivity to surrounding areas, and is an all-encompassing district that comprises considerable retail, leisure and entertainment options, in addition to a wide range of residential and commercial offerings. - TradeArabia News Service